The Verein zur Förderung des Hochseesegelns Trans-Ocean e.V. (TO) wants to send a starter to the Mini-Transat 2021 under the TO flag. A candidate is currently being sought to take part in the single-handed regatta. According to TO Chairman Martin Birkhoff, the club will provide the Mini 6.50 and also finance the preparation and participation in the regatta.
"The roots of our club lie in single-handed regatta sailing, which we want to cultivate again with this project. We want to reach young people in particular, for whom fast competitive sailing is attractive," says Birkhoff, explaining the background to the idea. At the last Mini-Transat in 2017, Lina Rixgens, 23, from Cologne, and Andreas Deubel, 39, from Hamburg, were supported by the association - they were also inspired by the enthusiastic spirit that radiates from the mini-sailing scene.
According to Birkhoff, the TO Board is aware that participating in a mini-Transat is an extremely ambitious project, both financially and in terms of time. Andreas Deubel has agreed to act as a consultant for the project. In addition, the start of the Mini-Transat is only planned for 2021; 2019 would be unrealistic.
The race from France to the Caribbean takes place every two years and is the entry point for many into the sport of ocean racing. Each participant must cover 2000 nautical miles on their 6.50 metre "Mini" before the start; 1000 in regattas, another 1000 non-stop and single-handed on a set course.
"We want to finance the campaign entirely from sponsorship money and purchase a new series mini that will be made available to the participant," says Birkhoff. However, the search for partners is still in the early stages.
However, the association has already published a concrete timetable for the next steps on its website at www.trans-ocean.org/mini-kampagne published:
The application conditions for interested sailors are to be published at the end of March 2018, with the closing date for applications at the end of June. And by the 50th anniversary of the TO in September, it should be clear who will be competing with around 80 other single-handed enthusiasts in 2021.
